EASE Latvia

FULL Latvia - Cesis Castle Excavations

Dates: 6th July to 17th August 2008

Number of UK participants: 8

Duration: 6 weeks

The Ezerpils museum is located approximately one hour away from the Latvian capital Riga. For the past three years groups of UK archaeology students, funded by the EASE Leonardo da Vinci project, joined the medieval excavations at Cesis Castle. These placements were a great success and the feedback we have received from the groups shows that the excavations are exciting and that the participants were made to feel extremely welcome on the dig. Participants in 2004 discovered and excavated several key finds including a medieval helmet and an armour breastplate. In 2005 several pieces of medieval armour and a coin hoard were discovered.

We are delighted to work in cooperation with the Ezerpils museum in 2008 and to once again provide this exciting opportunity for UK archaeology students. Previous excavations have focused on the castle courtyard and a Latgallian (8-11th Century) cemetery. The following reports will give applicants a good insight into this placement opportunity in Latvia. Grampus staff will gladly deal with further enquiries if you contact us by e.mail

Read the report by Sian Coombs, a participant in the 2004 excavations.

Read the report by Alan Dalton, a participant in the 2005 excavations

Images from the 2005 excavations

West Tower of Cesis castle	Excavating the Castle Cellar

View of the Exavations	Silver Coin Hoard
Cesis Castle Excavations in 2004

Excavation Site from Above	Archaeological Reconstruction

Sian Coombs displaying a find from the dig	Taking Levels on the Site

Part of the Excavation Site	'Living History' at Araisi Lake Fortress